New athletic skill. Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP). I can’t exactly say that I’ve been itching to check out stand up paddleboarding. Generally, I tend to prefer more action with actual surfing and waves and the like, but when the opportunity presented itself for me to learn to stand up paddleboard and hang out on the lake, well, I’m not one to say no to new adventures.
Now Stand Up Paddleboarding is the new surfing, compliments of big wave riders like Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama opting to do something comparatively mellow compared to the absurd waves they usually ride.
Photo: Steve Whitesell
I never spent a lot of time on lakes as a kid. Surprisingly we didn’t have a boat or a yacht, no jet skis, hell, not even a canoe. I like water sports, I just never did them a lot. As I’ve gotten older I’ve embraced the water and have since become convinced that I should be living on a beach. Which I sort of am, just without the water. Phoenix seems to be lacking an ocean at the moment. But once Cali falls into the ocean, I’m SO sitting on ocean front property. So I might as well start brushing up on the water sports. Enter Lake Pleasant and Go Stand Up Paddle.
I head out to the lake and find my way down to the Marina where Chad and his new puppy Red are waiting to instruct. Nine week old puppy ready to roll on the board. Lola has GOT to step up her game.
After a pretty brief introduction to the board, balance and steering, I’m up and paddling around the lake. This lesson comes on the heels of spending a few weekends kayaking so my arms are already in paddling mode. Note to selves, SUP is significantly easier than surfing. Word has it that the ladies have an advantage in having a lower center of gravity thereby maintaining balance more easily. Sorry, boys! But because it looks so easy, I was preparing myself to be bored or generally less than enthralled with it. But to my surprise it was really fun and I could see how easily it would kick ass out on open waters. I’d love to spend a couple hours paddling out to an island or something. Ultimately I had a really good time and can now paddle myself down the Amazon if need be. Hey, y’never know.
I'm coming for you, Laird
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Now that’s what’s SUP… get it? Go ahead, Jill… work that repertoire!!!!
Haaaa. You crack me up. SUP was no joke though, I was tired afterwards. Kind of a mix of kayaking and surfing. I could easily see paddling out to an island or something.